Written by Christopher Walsh at BleacherReport.com
It was like placing a huge ad in the New York Times.
Wanted: Playmaker who covets final season in the most challenging of settings. Must have degree and be willing to relocate no questions asked. All the barbecue he can eat and potential bonus of jewelry.
That was essentially University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban on national signing day when answering a question about the program’s new running backs, delivering a response that was the equivalent of a college football personal.
“I’m pleased, but we’re always looking for good players, and it seems with these graduate transfers, just looking at the history of it, there seems like there are more skill guys, receivers, running backs that do that type of things,” he said. “So we’ll probably be on the lookout for the next best player we can find, whether it’s somebody that didn’t sign on signing day or someone who is out there looking for an opportunity.”
That opening was apparently filled over the weekend when Bowling Green wide receiver Gehrig Dieter announced his intention to move on to Alabama as a graduate transfer. He’ll miss spring practice while finishing up his degree in sports management.
Dieter is a proven commodity after leading his team with 94 receptions for 1,033 yards in 2015, and at 6’3”, he’s the exact same height as the player he’ll be replacing. Richard Mullaney, a graduate transfer from Oregon State, caught a lot of passes for the Crimson Tide last season from another graduate transfer, Jake Coker.
Coker’s story is well-known. He hails from the Mobile area, initially signed with Florida State, got stuck on the depth chart behind Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, worked to get his degree early and transferred to Alabama. He spent a year backing up Blake Sims, but then finally won the starting job.
“Dream come true,” Coker repeatedly said, even before winning the national championship.
When looking around college football, it’s impossible not to notice the impact that graduate transfers are having on the game, even when focusing on just the quarterback position.
To continue reading this article, click here.
